ENGIE-Heineken Partnership Uses Tech on the Road to Net Zero
ENGIE, a global energy and renewables supplier, has announced its sustainable partnership with the Romanian branch of the multinational brewing company, Heineken.
The partnership will help propel Heineken’s efforts to achieve net zero CO₂ emissions in Scope 1 and 2 by 2030, while also accelerating its wider progress in the sustainability industry.
Several decarbonisation efforts will be implemented across three local Romanian breweries in Miercurea-Ciuc, Ungheni (Mures) and Craiova.
The collaboration will result in many technological energy solutions and decarbonisation efforts to be implemented, such as encouraging greater energy conservation and introducing an on-site biodigester and more heat pumps.
“We are delighted to be Heineken’s chosen partner for the provision of complex and turnkey decarbonisation solutions for three of our client’s industrial sites,” says Nicolas Richard, CEO of ENGIE Romania.
“We proposed an integrated approach, from strategy to execution, consisting of innovative solutions and technologies for decarbonisation and heat utilisation.
“Our strategy combines biomethane production from brewery waste and heat recovery through heat pumps. This customised approach will contribute to Heineken’s global ambitions to reach net zero.”
Heineken Romania’s collaboration with ENGIE plays a part in the brewery’s Integrated Net Zero Production programme.
Throughout this programme, Heineken has signed technical agreements with partners such as Arcadis, NIRAS and Royal HaskoningDHV. By doing so, the brewery aims to utilise this technical expertise to help minimise energy demand at logistics and production, whilst also aiding the transition to renewable energy.
“Our partners bring us expertise in their field, knowledge of the best available technology solutions and an outside-in view of the problems we are trying to solve," says Magne Setnes, Chief Supply Chain Officer of Heineken.
“These skills are paramount to helping Heineken Global in its ambitions to reach net zero in Scope 1 and 2 by 2030, which cannot be accomplished in isolation. Collaboration with experts is essential to reach our ambitions at the speed and scale we need.”
A global partnership
However, this is not the beginning of the monumental partnership between Engie and Heineken.
In recent years, the brewery has begun to secure its position as a trailblazer in sustainability for the beverages industry.
In 2022, Heineken Spain and Engie Spain signed an agreement to create a new renewable solar thermal energy plant that would be based at Heineken’s factory in Seville.
The plant was operational by September 2023 and became the largest industrial solar thermal power plant in Europe.
Over 20 years, ENGIE Spain has promised to supply 100% renewable energy to Heineken Spain through a long-term Build, Own, Operate, Transfer (BOOT) contract.
The plant in Seville has played a significant role in Heineken Spain’s efforts to be the first Spanish brewery to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
As a result of this agreement, Heineken Spain has predicted to experience a reduction of around 7,000 tons of CO₂ annually to its carbon footprint, as well as a 60% reduction in fossil gas consumption.
Loreto Ordóñez, CEO of ENGIE Spain, explains: "With the execution and construction of this plant we underline once again ENGIE's commitment to our industrial customers, making available our technical capabilities and our team of professionals to enable the viability of sustainable and renewable energy alternatives.
"We thank Heineken Spain for their confidence in us to be part of this project that is already allowing them to obtain cleaner and more efficient energy in their production processes".
Brew a Better World
Recently, Heineken has laid out a number of its prominent sustainability goals as part of its Brew a Better World 2030 ambitions.
This initiative has ensured that sustainability is at the forefront of the business.
The priorities were created in collaboration with both its external and internal stakeholders to catalyse the greatest impact and address the prominent points of discussion in the industry.
At the core of Brew a Better World lies three core principles in which Heineken aims to enhance its sustainability efforts: social, responsibility and environmental. This means the brewery has become committed to establishing a fair and equitable world, a consumer-centric approach to modernisation and achieving net zero.
In 2023, the brewery reported that it experienced a 34% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to 2018.
“We must continue to embed sustainability into the fabric of how we work," says Joanna Price, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Heineken. "The steps that we are taking today will enable us to anticipate and mitigate risks, adapt to changing market conditions and seize new opportunities.
"It’s not only the right thing for the planet and society, but also for our business and stakeholders."
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